Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
at Norwich. The first Norwich manufactured pieces have the larger so-called No. 2 die (2-1/2 millimeter letter height) markings on top side of hammer and PATENTED CAST STEEL on barrel group (while the early ones were either unmarked or bore only CAST STEEL).
Almost all Norwich specimens bear the simple hand engraved scroll/floral designs on the frame. Marking variations are numerous and are not always uniform for both barrels and hammer. A most important factor in categorizing the Norwich production is the use of the 1837 patent (with the tension screw for mainspring on lower handle near butt) and the more commonly encountered 1845 or later type patent which is quickly identified by the tension screw for mainspring located about in the center of the inner gripstrap. The collector should be aware that many of the 1845 or “later” types will be observed which bear the older 1837 patent markings. This merely indicates use of the marking die from earlier production which had not yet been discontinued, or even the use of stock or bin parts in the assembly of the guns; an interesting feature, but one which does not normally increase nor affect the value of a specimen. Normal markings ALLEN & THURBER/NORWICH, C-T on hammer (except where agent’s marks appear) with patent dates or CAST STEEL on barrels.
There was no small or pocket size frame made in this Norwich group. A few of the hammerless models with short barrel lengths are occasionally seen referred to as “pocket size” or “model” Norwich production, but they actually do not constitute a distinct size variation. Their frame size is the same as “standard” and their short barrels merely give them the appearance of being smaller.
STANDARD OR MEDIUM SIZE. ALLEN & THURBER/NORWICH C-T marked pepperboxes. Early Style With 1837 Patent Actions; usually marked with 1837 patent date. Barrel lengths from approximately 3" to 5" are usual. Engraving of scroll/floral designs on frame. Where nipple shields are used, they have the rolled type (as opposed to the hand engraved) scroll designs.
Bar hammer style; fluted barrel ribs; made without nipple shield:
5A-019
| 5A-019 | Values—Good $425 | Fine $1,150 |
Identical to above, but with nipple shield:
| 5A-020 | Values—Good $450 | Fine $1,250 |
Bar hammer type with flat barrel ribs; made without nipple shield:
5A-021
| 5A-021 | Values—Good $400 | Fine $1,100 |
Identical to above with nipple shield:
| 5A-022 | Values—Good $375 | Fine $1,000 |
Hammerless (concealed hammer) type with conventional trigger and trigger guard; flat barrel ribs; without nipple shield (none has been encountered with shield and such would be considered very rare):
5A-023
| 5A-023 | Values—Good $950 | Fine $3,000 |
Hammerless type as above, but with distinctive ring trigger; made without shield; flat barrel ribs:
5A-024
| 5A-024 | Values—Good $725 | Fine $2,000 |
Identical to above, but with shield:
| 5A-025 | Values—Good $800 | Fine $2,200 |
Bar hammer type with ring trigger; fluted barrel ribs; made without nipple shield (rare):
5A-026
| 5A-026 | Values—Good $550 | Fine $1,400 |
Identical to above, but with conventional trigger guard:
| 5A-026.5 | Values—Good $550 | Fine $1,400 |
Identical to above, but made with nipple shield having the roll type scroll engraving; rare:
5A-027
| 5A-027 | Values—Good $550 | Fine $1,400 |
STANDARD OR “MEDIUM” SIZE WITH 1845 TYPE PATENT. (Hammerless types have not been observed in this style and would be considered quite rare.)
Bar hammer; nipple shield and flat barrel ribs:
5A-028
| 5A-028 | Values—Good $350 | Fine $1,200 |
Ring trigger model with bar hammer and nipple shield; flat barrel ribs:
5A-029
| 5A-029 | Values—Good $550 | Fine $1,250 |
Ring trigger as above without nipple shield; these are found with very small No. 1 type die markings ALLEN’S PATENT on top of hammer; only known case where apparently Allen reverted to the use of a discontinued die:
| 5A-030 | Values—Good $625 | Fine $1,400 |